Cher, Hillary Clinton wow crowd at Provincetown fundraiser

PROVINCETOWN — A crowd of about 1,000 delivered deafening cheers and applause Sunday at a fundraiser and rally for Hillary Clinton that raised more than $1.5 million, according to organizers.

The Democratic presidential nominee made a campaign promise at the event that few in Provincetown will forget.

When Clinton learned that the Pilgrims landed in Provincetown first before going to Plymouth, she said she would return to town for the 400th First Landing anniversary in 2020 either as a private citizen or as president, said Gabby Hanna, a Provincetown resident who attended the rally.

“She did say that,” said Alix Ritchie, host of the fundraiser at the Pilgrim Monument & Museum along with event planner Bryan Rafanelli. “But I’m not sure we can hold her to that. She does have a personal invitation to the first landing celebration.”

Photo gallery: Hillary Clinton fundraiser in Provincetown

Prior to Clinton’s arrival in a convoy of black SUVs, the pop icon Cher, 70, waved to a crowd outside the monument parking lot shortly before 2 p.m.

Though she did not perform, Cher's songs could be heard from atop High Pole Hill including “If I Could Turn Back Time,” “If You Believe In Love” and “Woman’s World.”

Clinton arrived at 3 p.m. The press was not allowed inside, but those who attended the private event said she spoke for about 30 minutes or more.

Video: See Cher wave to the crowd

“Hillary was great,” Ritchie said. “She was serious, to the point and funny. She was warm. She’s a very warm person. And everyone was ecstatic she was here ... the spirit of the crowd must have lifted her too.”

Hanna described the applause as deafening and the mood under the tents as “rocking.”

“Cher gave a rousing speech about why she supports Hillary,” Hanna said. “Hillary Clinton was amazing. She talked about her issues with passion.”

Tickets for the event started at $45 and $500 for general admission and went to as high as $27,000. These sold out before they were even advertised. Nina Harrison, a part-time Provincetown resident, managed to get a $500 ticket because someone in-the-know sent her an email.

It was worth it, she said. Clinton was gracious, funny, and articulate.

“Cher was so brilliant,” Harrison added. “You just hang on her every word because you know she is going to crack you up.”

Clinton recognized Healey for her courageous stance in support of gun control, Ritchie said.

The applause in favor of gun control was “huge,” she added.

Clinton’s intellect, her depth of knowledge and understanding of a multitude of complex world issues make her the best candidate for president, said Dawn McCall, a co-chair of the event, who also worked under Clinton in the State Department as coordinator for the Bureau of International Information Programs.

Off stage, Clinton’s brilliance is obvious, McCall said.

“I think she is the right person at the right time for our country,” McCall said.